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The central government has announced free booster shots for all above 18 years.

This facility will be available to all adult citizens beginning from 15th of July for 75 days at government run vaccination centers.

“India is celebrating 75 years of independence. On the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Kaal, it has been decided that from 15th July 2022 till the next 75 days, citizens above 18 years of age will be given booster doses free of cost,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur told media persons during a presser in Delhi.

Giving details the I&B minister said India’s COVID19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 199.12 crore as per provisional reports till 7 am on Wednesday.

As already announced the vaccination for 12-14 age group has already begun since 16th of March 2022

However till date less than 1 per cent of the target population of 77 crore in the 18-59 age group have been administered the precaution dose.

Around 26 per cent of the estimated 16 crore eligible population aged 60 and above as well as healthcare and front line workers have received the booster dose, news agency PTI reported, quoting an official.

“A majority of the Indian population got their second dose over nine months ago. Studies at ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and other international research institutions have suggested that antibody levels wane around six months after the primary vaccination with both doses… giving a booster increases the immune response,” the official said.

The Union Health Ministry last week reduced the gap between the second and precaution dose of COVID-19 vaccine for all beneficiaries from nine to six months.

This followed a recommendation from the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).